Buddhafield East – Family Friendly Retreat and 2012 Summer Gathering

Buddhafield East is part of the Triratna Buddhist community (formerly the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order), which was founded in 1968. The original Buddhafield retreats grew out of an initiative by members of the Croydon Triratna Sangha to teach meditation at the Glastonbury festival. Buddhafield has gone from strength to strength since then and now hosts a full program of retreats, a 3000 capacity festival and takes meditation teaching, plus a cafe, to several festivals.

In 2002 Lokabhandu started approaching various friends around the country with the idea of regional Buddhafields, as a way to build upon Buddhafield's success. Buddhafield East and Buddhafield North were born. The first Buddhafield East camping event took place near Sudbury in Autumn 2003 and the first Buddhafield East Summer Gathering followed in August 2004. Buddhafield East have held events every year since then and are always seeking to extend what we do and to extend the positive sphere of influence that our events create.

Buddhafield East community's intention is to create a positive and radical sphere of influence from our events and in this way help to transform oneself and society.

Project:

This project will be divided into two main events:

The Retreat for Parents and Children (commonly known as The Family Friendly Retreat): 13- 22 August, and The Summer Gathering 28 Aug.-5 Sep. Work set-up for both events begins 13 August and clear-up ends late afternoon 5 September. You are welcome to stay another night at the end if this helps with travel plans.

The Retreat for Parents and Children is a Buddhist retreat open to men, women and children regardless of their religious leanings. You don't need to be a Buddhist to come although we expect you to have a spirit of enquiry and openness towards it. You are encouraged to attend as much of the programme as possible. A typical programme usually starts with meditation in the morning (introduction to the two main practices of 'mindfulness of breathing' and 'cultivation of universal loving-kindness' will be provided), breakfast, work, a talk on Buddhist principals, discussion groups, lunch, free time and workshops (music and arts orientated), afternoon meditation, dinner, ritual, sauna/hot-tubs/relaxing round the fire/playing music.

The 2012 Summer Gathering is a much more open event- it is not a festival nor is it a retreat, but somewhere in-between. A vital and beneficial part of the Buddhafield East Summer Gathering is community. One aspect of this is the daily work period, which is a fantastic opportunity to start new friendships and strengthen old ones. Another part of building community is simply being together in the natural expansiveness of nature as well as regular activities and workshops including meditation, yoga, Dharma talks (talks on Buddhist themes), outdoor ritual, saunas, hot tubs, art, kid's activities, clay work, fireside music and storytelling.

In both events there will be meditation taught as well as talks & discussions on basic Buddhist topics. We encourage you to come to everything but in the rituals you are not expected to have to recite anything. For photos, videos and a sense of what we already do you can check out the web site: www.buddhafieldeast.com

The 5 day period between the two events will be used to work but also to get to know the beautiful surroundings. We operate a dog, drug & alcohol free policy.

Shared tents of various sizes (2 persons, 4 persons, etc.) will be provided but you need to bring along sleeping equipment (camping mat, sleeping bag and blankets - it can be cold at night! All meals will be provided and are vegetarian.

Travel Terminal:

Halesworth

Trains:

The nearest train station is Halesworth.From London Liverpool Street Train Station to Norwich, 2hrs approx. From Norwich to Halesworth (one change), 1.30hrs approx. We will pick you up from the station.

Coaches:

London Victoria Coach Station to Norwich Coach Station, 3hrs approx. Local bus from Norwich to Halesworth via Poringland and Bungay, 2hrs approx.

HOSTING FEE:

Volunteers will be asked to pay a fee of 20 GBP upon arrival. This fee will be used in a fund to support the creation of new workcamps in the UK.